agree that a
remarkable change had come over Cortez. He was still frank and
pleasant in his manner, courteous and cheery with all; but he was
no longer the gay, careless character who had been liked, but
scarcely greatly respected, in the island. His whole actions were
marked by an air of resolute determination and authority. He
himself superintended every detail of work and exhibited a
thoughtfulness, prudence, and caution that seemed alien to his
former character. He was immensely popular both among his soldiers
and officers, but all felt that he was entitled to their respect as
well as their liking, and that he was not only commander, but
thoroughly master, of the expedition.

Although extremely careless himself as to food, comfort, or
appearance, he now assumed the state befitting his appointment and
authority. He dressed handsomely but quietly, appointed officers
and domestics for his household, and placed it on the footing of a
man of high station. Before sailing he dispatched a letter to
Velasquez, begging him to rely on his devotion to his interests.

On February 10th, 1519, the expedition started. It consisted of
eleven vessels, only one of which was as large as a hundred tons;
of a hundred and ten sailors, five hundred and fifty-three
soldiers, and two hundred Indians of the islands. There were ten
heavy guns and four light ones, and sixteen horses.

Before sailing, Cortez gave an address to his soldiers, and aroused
their enthusiasm to the utmost. He had the advantage of obtaining
the services, as chief pilot, of Alaminos, a veteran who had acted
as pilot to Columbus on his last voyage, and to Grijalva in his
late expedition. Soon after they started they met with a storm, and
put in at the island of Cozumal; and Cortez thence sent Ordaz to
Yucatan, to try to recover the captives said to be there. That
officer returned without tidings, but before the fleet sailed a
canoe arrived containing one of them, Aquilar, who had been wrecked
there eight years previously. He had been a priest, and had so won
the esteem and reverence of the barbarians among whom he lived,
that they had with great reluctance allowed him to depart, in
exchange for glass beads and other trinkets promised by Ordaz.

The fleet now sailed along the coast of Yucatan, until they reached
the mouth of the Tabasco River, where Grijalva had carried on so
profitable a trade. Leaving the ships at anchor they ascended the
river in boats; but inste